Railway-crossing.



No. 860,734. PATENTED JULY 23, 1907. W. V. CUSHING. RAILWAY CROSSING.

APPLICATION FILED DEO.24.1906.

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1HE Nakms Psrns ca.. wAsumsrnN n c No. 860,734. PATENTED JULY 2a, 1907.

W. v. GUSHING- RAILWAY CROSSING. APPLIGMION FILED 1330.251906.

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UNITED STATES PATENT Ormea.

RAILWAY-CROSSING.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 23, 1907.

Application filed December 24, 1906. Serial No. 349,248.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER V. CUSHING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Railway-Crossings, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to railways and has special reference to improvements in the arrangement and mechanical construction of track crossings.

The paramount objects of my invention are to prof duce a mechanically operated railway crossing which will present a continuous rail for the passing of trains on either of the tracks, and to furnish sufficient clearance for the wheel flanges so that there will be no clashing with the cross rail or any portion thereof when the wheels are passing over. Another object is to so construct a movable rail crossing that there will be no points in the rail joints for the flange of the wheels to run against, thus eliminating a common cause of accident.

Further objects of my improved railroad crossing are to provide a mechanical construction that will enable the operator to quickly change the continuous rail from one line to the other with the exercise of a minimum amount of effort; to furnish operative mechanism that will permit of the manipulation of the mechanical parts from a tower or other point situated a considerable distance away; to devise a method for operating the movable rails that, with slight modifications can be used for right angled or diamond crossings, and to produce a safe, durable and efficient construction that will be operable under all Weather conditions.

I accomplish the above and other minor objects by the use of the structures and mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which:-

Figure 1 is a plan view of a right angled railroad crossing embodying the essential features of my improvements; Figs. 2 and 3 are sectional views on the lines 2-2 and 3-3, respectively, of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view of the turning plate showing the method of attaching the operating rod; Fig. 5 is a view of the bell crank lever and swivel attachment to the lifting links; Fig. G is a top plan view of a portion of one of the movable rails with part of the head broken away to show method of attaching the lifting arms; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view showing the form of rail joint used in the square crossing; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view through the bed plate and movable rails; Fig. 9 is a plan view of a diagonal crossing; Fig. 10 is a sectional view on the line 1.0;10 of Fig. 9; Fig. 11 is an end view of the modified form of the movable rail; Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the ported in the usual manner on cross ties 16. The Y main rails of both tracks end at the place of crossing leaving an interval between them a little greater than the width of the track. adjacent to the crossing are designated by the numerals 17. The said intervals are supplied by movable rails 18 which are placed in line with the respective tracks alternately to permit the passage of trains on the track to which they are applied.

A bed-plate 19, circular in form, is located' beneath the crossing place and has a central aperture 20, also circular, which is surrounded by an annular groove 21. The said aperture is occupied by movable plate 22 which has an annular rim 23 on the under surface and formed integral therewith to engage the said groove 21 and in addition is provided with a deeper pendent ange 24 lwhich occupies the aperture 20. This plate forms a sort of turn table and supports the movable rails 18 in the following manner. The central portion of the plate or turn-table is cut away to leave an opening 25 of any convenient form, upon opposite sides of which are located supports 26 for a rod or shaft 27 which affords a bearing for lifting levers 28, 29, which are tted to rock thereon and are spaced apart by sleeves 30. These levers have one end 31 slightly upturned and the other depressed and perforated to receive tie rods 32, 33, upon which are suspended links 34 which are converged to the center or axis of rotation of the L.turn table where they are connected to a hook 35 of aswivel 36. The levers 2S and 29 are arranged in pairs the outside levers being connected to one of the movable rails 18 and the inside ones connected to the other movable rail by lifting arms 37 which are forked at each end the inner forks 38 being pivotally attached to upright arms 39 formed integral with the lifting levers, so that the lifting arms lie above the said levers, the outer forks of the lifting arms engaging lugs 40 of plates 41 bolted to the webs of the movable rails 18, the said forks having pivotal connection with the lugs.

In order to keep the movable rails 18 from spreading from the action of the car wheels I provide back stops 42 firmly secured to the bed-plate 19 by bolts 43. To prevent any vertical movement of the rail 18 when trains are passing over it I provide hooks 44 which occupy slots 45 in the bed plate and engage the inner iianges of the said rails. These hooks are pivoted to ears 46 which project fromv the underside of the bed-plate and` The ends of the track rails where the hooks engage the rail flange the latter is furnished with iilling blocks 47 in order to provide a seat parallel to the face of the hook jaw 48 and thus afford a secure hold. To keep the said hooks in engagement with the blocks 47 each pair of opposite hooks are connected by springs 49 to the lower ends 50 of said hooks.

An elevating lever 51 is placed at any convenient place and connected to one arm of a bell-crank lever 52 by a link rod 53. The said bell crank lever is pivoted on a support 54 and attached by its other arm 55 to the swivel'37.

A turning lever 5G, conveniently located adjacent to the elevating lever 51, is attached by a link bar 57 to an arm 58 secured to the outside of the flange 24 of the turn table 22. To limit the movement of the turn table the flange 24 of the latter is provided with a lug 59 which engages stops G0 fixed to the underside of the bedplate. These stops are spaced apart about 90 degrees so as to allow that amount of rotation of the table, which is suiiicient for the purpose desired, viz: to carry the movable rails 18 when elevated through an arc of ninety degrees in other words to permit the said rails to be lifted from position in one track and carried one fourth of a turn to their corresponding position in alinement with the rails of the other track.

Various methods have been employed to secure a smooth and durable joint between the ends of railroad rails and especially where the circumstances will not permit the employment of fish plates or their equivalent. Such a condition is here present and for the purpose stated I form the ends of the rail with shoulders or steps 61 asshown in Fig. 7.

It will be noticed that the end 17, of the main rail overlaps the end of the movable rail and in consequence the said movable rail is positively held from vertical movement from the impact of the passing wheels which would otherwise be liable to tilt the opposite end of the rail. This joint also prevents undue wear and makes a smooth and practically continuous joint which will tend to conserve the life of the rolling stock.

As previously stated and as will be evident on inspection of the drawings the conditions are somewhat different in the case of the diagonal or diamond crossing than when the tracks cross at right angles.4 While the movable rails of the latter form may beswung upon a common center, observation will show that this is not possible with the former arrangementgju-although the lines of applied force and the mechanical construction remain practically the same for the operative movements of elevating or lifting the rails.

Referring to Fig. 9, in which the structure of a diamond crossing is shown, I provide a modified form of bed-plate consisting of a plurality of circular plates 19, connected by tie pieces 19h. The rails 14 and l5 of the respective tracks have square ends 17 and stop at approximately the same distance from the crossing track as in the case of the square crossing previously described. The intervals between them, however, are partially supplied by auxiliary rails, 14, l5, which are securely fastened to the bed-plate 19 by any suitable method. These auxiliary rails are temporarily connected in continuous line with the main rails of the corresponding track by movable ,rails 18 which are formed integral with the posts 24 which are received in apertures 2` in the bed-plate. The anges 62 of these movable rails are made deeper than the normal rail and are adapted to be received in slots or sockets 63 formed in the bed-plate at the point where the rails of the main track would intersect were they continuous. These sockets are located so as to be in exact alinement with the main rails and at the point where they intersect the said apertures 20 are located. It will thus be seen that these rails can be rotated when lifted out of their sockets and then lowered into the companion socket thus constituting a turn table analogous with the table 22 previously described.' These movable rails are of suitable length to properly lill the gap left between the ends of the main rails and the auxiliary rails 14, 15, Each post or pivot 24 is furnished with an axial bore which extends a sufiicient distance from the surface of the lower end to receive'a pivot 64. To the lower ends of these pivots are connected the ends of lifting levers 28, 29, fulcrumed by arms 39 at G4, and G5. The distal ends of these levers are connected by links 35 which converge to a common center and are pivoted to one arm 55 of the bell crank lever 52 which is pivoted on the support 54 and attached by its other arm to the link rod 53 which leads to the elevating lever 51.

For the purpose of conveniently retaining the movable rails 18 in an elevated position while being turned I provide the elevating lever with a detent dog G6 which engages notches 67 in a segment G8, thus locking the lever in either position to which it may be thrown.

Provision is made for turning the movable rails 18 when in their elevated position in a manner similar to that employed in the case of the right angled intersection, the only difference being in the manner of coup- -ling the posts together by link rods and the addition of a locking dog to the operating lever. The turning lever 56 is placed in proximity to the elevating lever and is supplied with a retaining dog 69 which is adapted to engage notches 70 in a segment 7l, in a manner similar to the arrangement for the elevating lever. Each post 24 is furnished with a laterally projecting arm 58, operatively joined by link rods 57 so that all the posts and joined rails 18 will move in unison when any one of them is operated. To the post of the rail nearest to the operating lever two ofthe arms 58 are supplied and to one of these the link bar in attached, the opposite end being pivoted to the lever 56.

`The method of operation of my improved railroad crossing is as follows: Assuming that the movable rails are in line with the rails of either track as shown in Fig. 1, and it is desired to close the line of the other track for the `passage of a train the operator will move the lever 51 until the upturned ends 31 engage the lifting arms 88 which lie in the path of their movement. It will be seen that during this part ofV the movement there will be no lifting of the rail but the swing of the arms 89 will operate to move the arms 88 ulongitudinally and carrying the rails laterally against the hooks 44, which, being pivoted below the point of engagement, will be rocked upon their supports sufficiently to free the outside ilanges of the rails from engagement with the back-stops 42. At this point in the movements the ends 31 of the lifting levers will begin to raise the arms 38, which, being attached to the rails, will elevate the latter until they are sufliciently high to clear the fixed structure. Keeping the rails thus elevated at the outer I rails, means for elevating the rails above their initial poends of the lifting arms the operator now grasps the lever 56 and through the medium of its attachments turns the table 22 until the lug 59 engages one of the stops 60. He then releases the `lifting lever and lowers the rails into their new position. As the rails descend their inner flanges will strike the upper ends oi the hooks and move them inwardly against the tension of their springs allowing the rail to rest upon the bed-plate, the lifting arms then moving longitudinally in a direction opposed to their initial movement and thus forcing the rail outwardly until it is in line with the main rail with the outer lange under the back-stop and the hooks automatically taking their locking position by the action ot their springs.

The operation ofthe levers in the case of the diamond intersection being similar no detailed description oi their action is necessary the only difference being in the shorter excursion of the turn tables and the locking means for the levers which may also be applied to the levers for the first described crossing if desired.

It is obvious that many changes may be made in the devices of my invention as herein disclosed without departing from the spirit and scope thereof and I do not wish, therefore, to be limited to the precise construction set forth.

Having thus described my invention what 1 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A device for the purpose specified including a plurality of movable rails flexibly connected together, means for elevating said rails, means for turning said rails when elevated and means for locking the rails in their initial positions.

2. A railroad crossing including duplicate movable rails, means for elevating said rails, means for moving the rails concentrically with the middle point ofthe line crossing, and means for moving said rails laterally.

3. A railroad crossing including duplicate `movable rails, means for elevating said rails, means for moving said rails from one main line to the other, means for moving the rails laterally and means for locking said rails in position when in line with the main rails.

4. A railroad crossing including a plurality of movable sition, means for turning said rails, and means for lockingr the rails from turning when in initial position.

5. A railroad crossing including a plurality of movable rails, means tor simultaneously elevating said railsV above their initial positions and means for locking said rails when in their' initial positions.

G. A railroad crossing, including duplicate movable rails flexibly connected with each other means for elevating the rails, means for turning said rails, means for moving said rails laterally and means for locking the rails in their initial positions.

7. A railroad crossing including duplicate movable rails flexibly connected to a turn-table, means for elevating said rails, means for turning said table and yielding means for locking said rails in their initial positions.

S. A railroad crossing, including movable rails, means for locking said rails in their initial positions so as to register with the main rails of one track, means for unlocking the rails, means for moving said rails laterally, means for elevating the rails, means for carrying the rails to an alternate position, and means for securing the rails in position to register with the rails of the other track.

D. A railway crossing including the approach rails of the intersecting tracks, said rails having undercut ends, and a plurality of movable connecting rails adapted to engage with the said undercut ends of the approach rails.

10. ln a mechanically operated railway crossing, a plurality of connecting rails, means for locking said rails in their initial position so as to register with the main rails of one track, means for elevating the rails, means for turning said rails to an alternate position so as to register with the rails of the other' track, and `means for interlocking said connecting rails with the main rails.

11. A mechanically operated railroad crossing, including a plurality of interlocking rail joints, said joints consisting of a series of shoulders formed in the ends of the main rails and adapted to engage similar shoulders in the ends of the rails with which they abut.

12. In a mechanically operated railroad crossing, an inter-locking rail joint consisting of a series of steps formed in the end of one rail and adapted to engage similar steps in the contiguous end of the rail with which it registers, the surfaces of said stepslying alternately in vertical and horizontal planes.

13. In a mechanically operated railroad crossing a plurality of interlocking rail joints consisting of a series of steps formed in the contiguous ends of the rails, the surfaces of said steps lying alternately in vertical an'd horizontal planes.

14. A railway crossing, including the approach rails of the intersecting lines, a bed-plate, a turn table engaging Said plate, a plurality of movable connecting rails having flexible attachment to the turn table, means for moving said connecting rails laterally, means for elevating the rails, means for operating the turn-table, and means for locking the connecting rails from movement when in their initial positions. y

15. A railway crossing, including the main rails of the intersecting lines, a plurality of bed-plates, connections between the plates, a movable rail engaging each of said bed plates, flexible connections between said movable rails, elevating means for the movable rails, means for carrying tne rails to an alternate position, a plurality of operating levers, connections between the levers and the movable rails, and means for locking the levers in their initial positions.

1G. A railway crossing, including the approach rails of the intersecting lines, a plurality of bed plates, a movable rail engaging each of said bed-plates, flexible connections between said movable rails, elevating means for the movable rails, means for carrying the rails to an alternate position, a plurality of operating levers, operative connections between the levers and the movable rails, and means for locking the said levers in both their initial and operative positions.

1T. A railway crossing, including the approach rails of the intersecting lines, a bed-plate, a plurality Vof movable rails engaging said bed-plate and adapted to alternately register with the said approach rails of the several inter'- secting lines, exible connections between said movable rails, elevating means for the movable rails, means for turning the rails to an alternate position, and means for locking said rails in said alternate position.

18. A railway crossing, including the approach rails of the intersecting lines, a bed-plate, a plurality of movable rails engaging said bed plate, flexible connections between said movable rails, means for elevating and depressing the movable rails, means for turning the movable rails to an alternate position, means for locking said rails in said altei-nate position, a plurality of operating levers, connections between the levers and the movable rails, and means for locking the levers in their initial positions.

1S). A railway crossing, including the approach rails of the intersecting lines, a bed-plate, a turn table engaging said bed plates and having a central aperture, a plurality of movable rails, a fulcrum rod supported upon said turn table, a plurality of lever arms journaled on said rod and having pivotal connection with said movable rails means for operating said lever arms to elevate said rails and means for rotating said turn table.

20. A railway crossing, including the approach rails of the intersecting lines, a bed plate, a plurality of connecting rails supported on said plate, means for elevating said rails simultaneously, said elevating means consisting of a series of pivoted levers radiating from a common center, an elevating lever having operative connection with said pivoted levers at said centers, and ymeans for locking said elevating lever in both operative and initial positions.

21. A railroad crossing, including the main rails of the intersecting lines, a bed-plate, a turn table engaging said plate, a plurality of movable connecting rails having flexible attachment to the turn-table, means for elevating the rails, means for operating the turn table, and means for locking the connecting rails from movement when in their initial positions.

22. A railroad crossing, including the main rails of the intersecting lines, a plurality of bed-plates, connections between the plates, movable rails engaging each 0f said bed-plates, ilexible connections between the movable rails,

elevating means for the movable rails, a plurality of 0p erating levers, connections between the levers and the movable rails, and means for locking the levers in their initial positions.

23. A railroad crossing, including the main rails of the intersecting lines, a plurality of bed-plates connected together, a movable rail engaging each of said bed-plates, liexible connections between the movable rails, means for elevating the `movable rails, a plurality of operating levers, operative connections between the levers and the movable rails, means for locking the said levers in both their initial and operative positions.

In testimony whereof I ailx my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WALTER V. CUSHING.

Witnesses GEO. L. PATTERSON, C. F. BAssE'rT. 

